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Constant dizziness

Posted , 6 users are following.

stef42306
stef42306

Hello everyone!

I am hoping someone can help or have some suggestions for me.

Early December I suddenly felt disoriented and like i was losing touch with reality. It was so scary and I had some light headed feelings and intermittent dizzy spells as well. It felt like my head was in a bucket and my hearing muffled. I had a terrible headache. I go to my doctor and she said this is classic anxiety and prescribed an anti-anxiety med and ordered a CT for the headache. After a few days, I developed a sinus and ear infection. CT only showed acute left maxillary sinusitis. During this time I could barely function because of the dizziness. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics. The dizziness would come and go and usually was tolerable in the evening. I noticed the computer set it off and if i could focus on something and not move my head or eyes I could muddle through. Lying down is the only thing that relieves it. ENT diagnosed me with TMJ which I have had for 12 years and said that is the cause if the dizziness. The last 2 weeks in December, I was almost completely bedridden. It got worse. ENT had prescribed Xanax and it seems to be helping to calm the dizziness. Recently I had an MRI and it was clear. All labs are good except for low Vitamin D. My GP diagnosed me with viral labyrinthitis and ordered vestibular physical therapy. My eye movements set it off for sure. Each day seems like there is a very small improvement. I'm currently not able to drive or work.

I have considerable anxiety now due to all of this. Does anyone have a similar story? Any advice?

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • maria61198
    maria61198 stef42306

    Posted

    If your doc diagnosed labyrinthitis then yeah, you anxiety is probably caused by that. now that you know what you have, try to relax a little bit, hard I know, go to the vestibular rehab therapy and do the exercises every day, even if you start feeling better.

    Good luck. Keep us posted.

    • stef42306
      stef42306 maria61198

      Posted

      Thanks. I have a few good days and then along comes a bad one and I get discouraged. I am hoping the PT gets me back in track.

  • Terry6872737
    Terry6872737 stef42306

    Posted

    Sounds like vestibular neuritis. Labrynthitis would involve hearing loss, even if temporary. Treatment is the same though. It just takes time to recover. Rest, drink plenty of water and push to do what you can. Recovery will occur very slowly.

    • stef42306
      stef42306 Terry6872737

      Posted

      I don't have hearing loss yet, just periodic ringing in my ears. Thanks, this gives me hope. This has been so tough to manage so far.

  • teresa03176
    teresa03176 stef42306

    Posted

    hi I was exactly the same last year! started July! same symptoms! 12 consultants later! I got my diagnosis! vestibular migraine! sometimes can be a silent migraine!! all MRI and bloods were clear! did all the pphysio at the beginning, didnt really help, started with labrinithis , neurinitis, I saw a vestibular neurologist who finally diagnosed my condition, caused me horrendous anxiety, didnt and wldnt work for 6 months I suggest you research the condition, it's been trial and error with drugs, as the are anti seizure medications to treat condition. I finally am starting to feel somewhat like me again, slowly but surely.. any questions please feel free to ask, A trip to a neurologist would be highly recommend. one who specialises in vestibular conditions.

    • stef42306
      stef42306 teresa03176

      Posted

      interesting! In October, I was seeing black spots in my vision. It only happened twice. And would get the visual aura at times. The eye doc said it was an occular migraine. My next step is a referral to a neuro. I am hoping in the meantime that PT will work. Also the sun and bright lights can set off the dizziness. And yes my anxiety is out of control and it's not helping the situation.

      Did you have daily symptoms? How did you cope daily before you were diagnosed?

    • Lolasmom
      Lolasmom stef42306

      Posted

      Stef,

      I get ocular migraines. But never a headache after. They last about 20-30 minutes. Oddly they come in the fall Sept/Oct, and then again in the spring March/April Kinda weird, almost seasonal

      Strangely, in the last 2 years, I have had PVD in both eye, both in the spring

    • teresa03176
      teresa03176 stef42306

      Posted

      yes I had/hav symptoms all day!! it's been a nightmare 12 consultants never ending! and I dont get headaches!! tinnitus is hard to cope with as it is last thing to develop! total lifestyleand diet change! no coffee not even decaf as it still contains caffeine!I am very limited on what I can eat ect! if youoops up professor own judd at the nuttfield derby uk you will find it's of do,s and donts! plus I'm on magnesium b2 and q10 supplements. I dont no how old you are but perimenopause was my trigger hav been on hrt 3 mths! and beta blocker lamotrigine at present.

    • stef42306
      stef42306 teresa03176

      Posted

      The ringing in my ears wakes me sometimes at night. I will definitely look him up. I am 43 and I had a hormone panel and all were okay except for my FSH level and it showed me as post-menopausal! Doc said I am getting closer to menopause.

      I have been on a small dose beta blocker for a few months due to a high heart rate-SVT.

      Our stories sound so similar!

    • stef42306
      stef42306 Lolasmom

      Posted

      When I have the visual disturbances, I don't get a headache either. I do get bad headaches at times but when I do, I don't get the visual disturbances. It's a bit strange.

    • teresa03176
      teresa03176 stef42306

      Posted

      yes my fish level was dropping , hormones test wont give a true reading as levels vary so much!! most of the consultants reckon it was hormone driven! I got myself a music tinittus speaker for under my pillow which I cld not live without! I gave been put on amitriptyline and lamotrigine but all take few weeks to work! professor judd reckons 6 myths to level hormones to level out!

    • stef42306
      stef42306 Lolasmom

      Posted

      Mine just started in December. I have noticed that cloudy days are better since I am sensitive to light.

  • maria61198
    maria61198 stef42306

    Posted

    try and keep to your regular routine as much as possible. I find sudden changes in temperature will affect it.

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